At a glance
Region 5 covers the PFAS sites in Michigan. An overview appears below for each site.
US Army National Guard Camp Grayling (MI)
Region 5 contact
Mark Johnson, Ph.D.
Regional Director
(312) 353-3436
(312) 886-6066 – FAX
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is providing technical assistance to the Michigan National Guard in their investigation of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination of groundwater at Camp Grayling. The probable source of contamination may be the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). This is a fire suppressant agent used at the nearby firefighting training area.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, Energy (EGLE), and the Michigan National Guard have been testing residential wells and installing monitoring wells to check the extent of groundwater contamination. As of May 2019:
- 692 private wells have been tested for PFOA and PFOS.
- 215 wells were contaminated with PFOA and PFOS.
- 17 wells were above the state criteria and USEPA Health Advisory Level of 70 ppt.
MDHHS, in partnership with the local public health department (District #10), is reporting private drinking water PFAS results to residents. Alternative water or water filters are being provided as needed. MDHHS is evaluating the test results and will submit their findings. They will coordinate with the local health department and ATSDR. ATSDR continues to provide technical support to the MDHHS.
Testing the city of Grayling's municipal water is planned. The local fire department is providing an alternate water supply for the base due to a contaminated water supply.
Former Wurtsmith Air Force Base (MI)
The former Wurtsmith Air Force Base (WAFB) is located in Oscoda, Iosco County, MI. It was in operation from 1924 to 1993.
In 2010, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the U.S. Air Force has identified elevated levels of PFAS contamination in drinking water wells and locally caught fish and deer. The source of the PFAS was likely the past use of aqueous film- forming foam (AFFF) from fire training activities conducted at the base.
As of May 2019, 390 drinking water wells were tested for PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid). PFAS was found in 272 wells, and the PFAS levels in 2 wells are higher than the state criteria and USEPA Health Advisory level of 70 ppt.
Health education was conducted in the community by MDHHS. It has also helped the local health department provide:
- An alternate water supply to the Oscoda community.
- Created advisory signs for affected areas and bodies of water.
- These signs were installed by the local health department.
ATSDR will provide health education and technical support to the MDHHS and will review their reports.
Former Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. (MI)
Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. (Wolverine) operated a tannery in Rockford, Michigan from the 1930's through 2009. Wolverine constructed a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) at the tannery property sometime between 1950 and 1960. From the early 1960's through 1978, Wolverine disposed of waste sludge containing PFAS from its WWTP.
Most sludge was disposed of at the former House Street Disposal facility and a gravel pit in Rockford, Michigan. Many residences located near these two disposal areas use private water wells for their drinking water. The tannery buildings were torn down when the tannery closed.
Wolverine and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) have sampled over 1,700 private drinking water wells as part of the Northern Kent County investigation. Wolverine has also installed numerous monitoring wells across the site to define the horizontal and vertical extent of PFAS in groundwater.
The area of investigation covers about 20 square miles. Wolverine has installed more than 535 whole house and 235 point-of-use (POU) filters in homes across the Northern Kent County investigation area of as an interim response.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is working with the Kent County Health Department to ensure residents are protected from further PFAS exposure. Health education and outreach is being provided in the community. MDHSS is working with ATSDR to further investigate and quantify PFAS exposures in this area.